Plate holder for cylinder presses



Aug. 30, 1960 G. s. KROHN ErAL 2,950,679

PLATE HOLDER FOR CYLINDER PRESSES Filed Aug. 22, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l G w .H NN TTG@ mwwwwww-RWMWQWVHVSa-- Aug. so, 1960 G. s. KROHN ErfA-L- 2,950,679

PLATE HOLDER FOR CYLINDER PRESSES A 5jglipfjl '65- EXC- Filed Aug. 22, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Cha/TQSQ Timm;

arent fice assente Patented Aug. 30, 1969 PLATE HOLDER FOR CYLINDER PRESSES Gilbert S. Krohn, Chicago, Robert G. Neuhaus, Homewood, and Charles F. Ahlgrimm, Flossmoor, Ill., assignors to R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 22, 1956, Ser. No. 605,536

6 Claims. (Cl. 101-378) This invention relates to a plate holder for cylinder presses, and in particular relates to a plate holder arrangement including underlocking plate tensioning clips.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide mechanism for locking printing plates onto the plate cylinder of a lrotary printing press, and to so organize the mechanism as to permit extreme llexibility in arrangement of plates on the cylinder, reduction of interplate space to permit heavier loading of cylinders, and individual adjustment of clips to permit accurate alignment of the plates in multi-color printing.

Plates are mounted on the plate cylinder of a printing press by placing severa-l plates in end-to-end or sideto-side relationship around the circumference of the cylinder to form a band of plates, and arranging a plurality of closely-spaced bands of plates along the length of the cylinder. The plates must be very firmly secured to the cylinder, and preferably are pulled into tension at their ends so as to avoid any tendency of plate bulge which would cause undesirable bearing pressures between the plate roll and the impression roll.

The present invention employs a plate cylinder provided with parallel, longitudinal channels, and plate clip assemblies and spacer assemblies mounted in the channels. Each channel extends continuously, and is completely filled with plate clip assembly bases and spacer blocks.

Flexibility of layout may be eiected by using spacers of different widths depending upon the particular signature layout which is being printed, or the spacer block and plate clip base arrangement may also be varied for printing gatefolds.

Each plate clip assembly base is provided with a circumferentially extending channel, or slideway in which are two plate clips. vided for moving each of the plate clips in the guideway. Each printing plate has a notch in its underside adjacent each longitudinally extending, `straight margin, and a plate clip in each base engages the notch in one printing plate while the other plate clip in the base engages the notch in the adjacent plate in a band. The normal space between the ends of adjacent plates in the band is only /s inch, and this is ample for insertion of an Allen wrench to operate the gear actuating means and draw the clips -into firm interlocking, tensioning engagement with the notches in the plates.

With heavy press loading it often happens that a plate bleeds to the longitudinal median plane of the assembly base; and in order `to permit manual manipulation of the gear means under such circumstances there are two separate actuating gear members which are offset to opposite sides of the median plane, and each is supplied with an Allen wrench socket so lthat the associated plate clip may be manipulated from either gear member. If two adjacent plates both bleed to the center line the clips in the block where the plates abut may be pre-adjusted with a gauge block, each plate may be engaged with the Suitable gear mechanism is pro pre-adjusted clip and tensioned from the opposite end.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a plate cylinder showing the plate clip assembly bases and spacer blocks in a single longitudinal channel;

Fig. la is a sectional View through la printing press cylinder, taken substantially as indicated along the line lez-1a of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of a single assembly base, partly in section, as seen along .the line 2 2 of Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 3 lis a longitudinal section taken as indicated along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are transverse, or circumferential sections taken, respectively, as indicated along the lines 4 4, `5 5 and 6 6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on a reduced scale showing the plate construction which is used when two adjacent plates bleed to the center line and thus abut one another.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, Fig. 1 illustrates a single channel 9 in a plate cylinder C, in which are positioned six plate clip assembly bases, indicated generally at 10, a pair of end spacer blocks 11, only one of which is illustrated in Fig. l, and a central spacer block 12. Fig. la shows that several such channels 9 with associated assembly bases 10 and spacer blocks 11 and 12 are spaced circumferentially about the cylinder, so that each printing plate ris engaged by lugs 13a or 13b in two circumferentially adjacent bases; and the lugs 13a and 13b in each base engage the adjacent margins of two circumferentially adjacent plates of al band of plates which extends entirely around the cylinder.

Each end spacer block has a pair of recessed racks 11a which are aligned with guide openings 10a in the adjacent assembly base 1G; and associated with each rack is a plate positioning clip 66 which has a rotatable pinion 66a engaged with the rack, and guide iianges 66h which extend into guide recesses 10b in the guide openings lrr. Plate engaging lugs 67 surmount the clips 66 and abut the llateral margins of the plates to position the plates longitudinally of the cylinder.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, the plate clip assembly base 10 has a flat bottom 14 and an arcuate top 10c which is a segment of the surface of plate cylinder C. As best seen in Fig. 4, the bottom 14 has marginal recesses 14a to receive clamping plates 15 which extend laterally into slides 9a which are undercut at the sides of channel 9. Clamping bolts 16 engage the clamping plates so that the base 10 may be s'lidably adjusted in the channel and locked in place by tightening the bolts 16.

As best seen in Fig. 6, -.a slideway 17 extends circum- I ferentially of the base 1G and is provided with undercut side slides 18 running along both sides so that the plate clips 13 and 13a may be slida-bly mounted in the slideway 17 with a pair of laterally extending, interlocking shoulders 19a Vand b, respectively, carried in side slides 18 to provide an interlock which retains the clips 13a and b in the slideway 17. The clips 13a and b have necks 20a and b, respectively, which extend above the top 10c of the base l@ and are provided with heads 21a and b, respectively, which extend longitudinally 'of Ithe plate cylinder C and have undercut inclined plate engaging faces. The underside of each clip 13a or b is a segment 22a or 22b of an internal gear the theoretical center of which is at the center of the plate cylinder C, and since the -slideway 17 is also cut on an arc, as seen in Fig. 6, which has its center at .the center of the plate cylinder, the clips 13a and b may travel smoothly in the Yslideway face to the front with respect to the direction of rotation of cylinder C, while clip 13b faces in the opposite direction. f

Base 10 has two identical mechanisms for adjustingY clips 13a and b. Extending in from the ends of the base ltl'on opposite sides of the median plane are parallel bores 23 and 24 whichr'extend under the Yslideway 17. Referring to Fig. 3, journalled in the bore 23 is a shaft 25 provided with an integral gear 26 which meshes with the gear segment 22a on the underside of plate clip 13a. The shaft 25 is also provided with a drive gear 27. The bore 23 is closed by means of an end plug 28 which has a central recess 28a to afford a bearing for shaft 25. AtV one part of the periphery of plug 28 is a notch to receive the edge of a bevel headed screw 29 which screws into a threaded hole in the base 10 to retain the plug 2% in position.

Mounted inthe bore 24 is a shaft 3l) (see Fig. 2) on which is an integral gear 31 which meshes with the gear segment 22b on the underside of clip 13b. The shaft 30 is provided with a drive gear 32 which is on the opposite side of the slideway 17 from the drive gear y27 for the shaft 25. An elongated plug 33 has a recess 33a at its inner end which serves as a bearing for the shaft 30, and a notch in the margin of the outer face of the plug 33 accommodates the edge of the head of a bevel headed screw 34 by means of which the plug 33 is held in Y place in the bore 24.

As best seen in Figs. 3, and 6, on the longitudinal median plane of the base and lianking slideway 17 is a pair of bores 3S and 36 extending downwardly from the top 10c of the base 10 into a pair of counterbores 37 and 38, respectively, in which Vare mounted adjusting worm shafts 39 and 40, respectively. The lower ends 39a and 40a of the shafts 39 and 40 are journalled in a thrust plate 41 which is retained in a longitudinal recess in the bottom of base 10 by a center screw 42 and corner screws 43 and 44.

. Within theirY respective counterbores the shafts 39 and 40 are provided, respectively, with self locking worms 45 and 46 which mesh, respectively, with the drive gears 27 and 32 of shafts 25 and 30, so that rotation of shaft 39 moves clip 13a while rotation of shaft 40 moves clip 13b. Associated with each adjusting worm shaft is a pair of adjusting gear members, so that each clip may be adjusted from twodifferent points, each of which is oset slightly from the longitudinal median plane of the base 10. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, lianking the counterbore V37 are recesses 47 and 48 which communicate with the arcuate top 10c of the base by means of holes 49 and 30 in which are adjusting spindles 51 and 52, the lower ends of which are rotatably carried in suitable bores in the thrust plate 4l. In the recesses 47 and 48 the spindles are provided with gears 53 and '54, respectively, both of which mesh with a gear 55 on worm shaft 39. In the upper ends of spindles 51 and 52 are sockets 51a and 52a in which an Allen wrench may be fitted to turn either spindle for adjusting the clip 13a.

As seen in Fig. 3, counterbore 38 is flanked by recesses 56 and 57 from which holes 58 and '59, respectively, extend to the top of base 10 to carry adjusting spindles 60 and 61 which are provided, respectively, with gears 62 and 63 both of which mesh with a gear 64 on Worm shaft 40; and the spindles have sockets 68a and 61a, respectively, at their upper ends in which an Allen wrench may engage to turn either spindle for adjusting the clip 13b. Grease littngs 65 are mounted in the top of base 10dtt3 permit lubricant to be applied to drive gears 27 an 2.

Operation of the plate clip assembly is believed to be clear from the foregoing detailed description. Referring to Fig. 6, a printing plate P1 is provided with a notch 68 adjacent each straight margin which is adapted to be aligned with slideway 17. Notches 68 have inclinedL undercut forward faces which are engaged by the inclined face of a plate clip head 21a'or b, so that when a plate clip head is in engagemenbwith a notch 68 in the underside ofV a plate the plate is irmly retained against outward displacement resulting from the centrifugal force of the rotating plate cylinder C.V Similarly, a plate VP2 has notches 68 at each straight margin. The clipV 13a engages the notch 68 in the plate P1,V while the clip 13b engages the notch 68 in the plate P2 adjacent ythe plate P1. Since Yeach plate hasY a notch 68 adjacent each straight margin, and there is a plate engaging clip at each end of each plate, when the clips 13a and 13b are drawn into engagement with the notches at both ends of a plate the plate is pulled into tension circumferentally of the plate cylinder C. Y

As seen in Fig. 6, the plate P1 bleeds to the median plane of the'base 10, so that adjusting spindles 51 and 60 are covered by the plate. .Howeven the spindles 52 and 61 are accessible between the plates Pl'and P2, so that clips 13a and b may be properly adjusted to tension the plates. If the situation is reversed, so that plate P2 bleeds to the center line, the spindles I51 and 60 are accessible for adjustment of the clips.

ln the unusual situation where plates P1 and P2 both bleed to the center line, the clips 13a and b are preset to the required position by using a gauge; and both plates are engaged with the clip heads after which the plates are tensioned by adjustment of the clips at their opposite ends. In such a case, one plate, as P3, is underbeveled, as seen `at 70 in Fig. 7, and is mounted on lug 13a after an unbeveled plate P4 is mounted on lug 13b.

`The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

l. In a printing press, in combination: a plate cylinder adapted to support a plurality of printing plates in end to end relationship about the cylinder, said cylinder having a plurality of parallel, longitudinal channels each of which is beneath the ends of two adjacent plates; a plate clip assembly base detachably securedk in each channel, each said base having a slideway extending cirsumferentially of the cylinder; a pair of circumferentially Aspaced plate clips individually slidable in said slideway for independent engagement Vwith two circumferentially adjacent plates on the cylinder; a separate clip operating means for each clip, said operating means being mounted in the base and operatively connected with one of said clips to move said clip in the slidewaygrand two separate adjusting members rotatably mounted in' the base and operatively engaged with each clip operating means, sai adjusting members being positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal median plane of the assembly base and being accessible from above the base for manual manipulation, whereby adjustment of either of said clips may be eiected with a plate on said cylinder which has an end on said plane.

2. In a printing press, in combination: a plate cylinder adapted to support a plurality of printing plates in end-tofend relationship about the cylinder, said cylinder having a plurality of parallel, longitudinal channels each of which is beneath the ends of two adjacent plates; a plate clip assembly base in each channel which has a slideway extending circumferentially of the cylinder; means detachably securing each assembly base in the channel; a pair of circumferentially spaced plate clips individually slidably mounted in said slideway, said clips having oppositely inclined faces projecting above the base for independent engagement with two circumferentially adjacent plates on the cylinder; an adjusting gear means for each clip, each said gear means being journalled in the base and being operatively engaged with one of said clips within the base to move said clip in the slideway; and two separate pairs of adjusting gear members on upright axes in the base and accessible from above the base for manual manipulation, the gears of each pair being displaced in opposite directions from said median plane, and one pair being operatively engaged with each of said adjusting gear means, whereby adjustment of either of said clips may be eiected with a plate on said cylinder which has an end on said plane.

3. In a printing press, in combination: a plate cylinder adapted to support a plurality of printing plates in end to end relationship about the cylinder, said cylinder having a plurality of parallel, longitudinal channels each of which is beneath the ends of two adjacent plates; a plate clip assembly base detachably secured in each channel, each said base having a slideway extending circumferentially of the cylinder, and one of said bases having in its end portion a longitudinal guide opening; a pair of circumferentially spaced plate clips individually slidable in said slideway for independent engagement with two circumferentially adjacent plates on the cylinder; a separate clip operating means for each clip mounted in the base and operatively connected with one of said clips to move said clip in the slideway; two separate adjusting members rotatably mounted in the base and operatively engaged with each clip operating means, said adjusting members being positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal median plane of the assembly base and being accessible from above the base for manual manipulation, whereby adjustment of either of said clips may be effected with a plate on said cylinder which has an end on said plane; a spacer block detachably secured in each channel adjacent said one of said bases; a positioning clip in said block, said clip having a guide portion extending into longitudinally slidable interengagement with said guide opening; and means for adjusting said positioning clip longitudinally of the cylinder.

4. ln a printing press, in combination: a plate cylinder adapted to support a plurality of printing plates in endto-end relationship about the cylinder, said cylinder having a plurality of parallel, longitudinal channels each of which is beneath the ends of two adjacent plates; a plurality of plate clip assembly bases detachably secured in each channel, one of said bases having in its end portion a longitudinal guide opening; circumferentially adjustable clip mechanism in each base for engaging two adjacent plates on the cylinder; a spacer block detachably secured in each channel adjacent said one of said bases; a positioning clip in said block, said clip having a guide portion extending into longitudinally slidable interengagement With said guide opening; and means for adjusting said positioning clip longitudinally of the cylinder.

5. The device of claim 4 in which the guide opem'ng in the assembly base has guide recesses, and the guide portion of the positioning clip in the spacer block has flanges extending into said recesses.

6. In la printing press, in combination: a plate cylinder adapted to support a plurality of printing plates in end-to-end relationship about the cylinder, said cylinder having a plurality of parallel, longitudinal channels each of which is beneath the ends of two adjacent plates; a plurality of plate clip assembly bases detachably secured in each channel, each said assembly base having a slideway extending circumferentially of the cylinder; a pair of circumferentially spaced plate clips individually slidable in said slideway for independent engagement with two circumferentially adjacent plates on the cylinder; a separate clip operating means for each clip mounted in the base and operatively connected with one of said clips to move the clip in the slideway; two separate rotatable adjusting members operatively engaged With each clip operating means, said adjusting members being positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal median plane of the assembly base and being accessible from above the base for manual manipulation, whereby adjustment of either of said clips may be etected with a plate on said cylinder which has an end on said plane; a plurality of spacer blocks in each channel and each abutting an assembly base so that the bases and said blocks fill the channel from end to end; adjustable positioning clip mechanism in one of said blocks adapted to bear on a circumferentially extending side of a plate; and means detachably securing said bases and blocks in the channels.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 726,572 Quetsch Apr. 28, 1903 999,279 Warnock Aug. 1, 1911 1,494,379 Schmidt May 20, 1924 1,555,069 Osterlind Sept. 29, 1925 2,214,983 Zuckerman Sept. 17, 1940 2,406,883 Luehrs Sept. 3, 1946 2,409,830 Braunsworth Oct. 22, 1946 2,621,590 Faeber Dec. 16, 1952 2,667,834 Ziebell Feb. 2, 1954 2,668,497 McWhorter Feb. 9, 1954 2,709,405 McWhorter May 31, 1955 2,857,841 Worthington et al. Oct. 28, 1958 

